Restaurant Week gives you the chance to experience something new!

By: Brian Sharp

Photo: Warm chocolate cake from The Hawthorn Grill

Restaurant Week is more than just fixed menus and cheaper prices. Restaurant Week in the Miami Valley area – curated by Amy Zahora of the Miami Valley Restaurant Association – has been going on since 2005 and more and more restaurants participate every year. Restaurant Week benefits more than just the diner, with part of the proceeds benefitting Cancer Support Community and helping to fund scholarships for area students. This year, the price points for dinner will vary to include $20.13, $25.13 and $30.13 – and read carefully, some of those include dinner for two.

So, what is Restaurant Week anyway? Restaurant Week is a week-long event offering regional diners an opportunity to experience restaurants they may have wanted to try, but thought them too far or too expensive. Restaurants that participate in Restaurant Week generally have a fixed menu with a set price – in some instances it will include appetizer, entrée and dessert (many times with several choices). In other instances, it will actually include dinner for two.

I have encountered folks that are planning now for where they will eat every night of Restaurant Week … so let the planning begin! You can choose by area or style of food. I would encourage you to try something new, but more than anything, support the restaurants and the charity by participating.

There were many ways to present the restaurants participating, but I felt by area of town might just be easiest for planning purposes. I will be highlighting restaurants with some of their usual fare. These may not be Restaurant Week options, as menus were still being finalized at press time.

I hate when people say there is nothing to do in Dayton, so let’s start with Dayton.

Downtown Dayton

The Deli at Webster Street

(32 Webster St.) If you haven’t been, this is a great lunch and dinner spot. I have friends that meet here once a week for lunch. It is a friendly atmosphere with plenty of options from soup to sandwiches, entrées and desserts.

The Dublin Pub

(300 Wayne Ave.) Get your Irish on and head down to the Pub for a pint, or even shepherd’s pie. You don’t want to miss these authentic pub menu items and it’s just a fun place to hang out.

Jay’s Seafood

(225 E. Sixth St.) Amy Haverstick and her family have been providing the Dayton area fresh seafood for years, and this is a perfect time for you to experience all that Jay’s has to offer. Jay’s is one of Dayton’s very few restaurants that actually have fresh fish.

Salar

(400 E Fifth St. – former location of Pacchia and Side Bar) This restaurant features Peruvian dishes, mixing in influences from around the globe as well. The bar features a master mixologist that is sure to impress with fresh craft cocktails. You may find features like a warm caprese salad, chorizo in sherry appetizers or even entrees like lamb chops on the menu.

Franco’s Ristorante Italiano

(9824 E. Fifth St.) They have a beautiful patio for dining al fresco, enjoy a visit at the bar or simply experience the authentic Italian fare.

Coco’s Bistro

(250 Warren St.) Karen Wick-Gagnet and her team do a great job with everything from appetizers to dessert. Enjoy cocktails in their very hip bar or dinner on their patio.

(8800 Meeker Road) At this quiet little tavern tucked away down by the river, you will find tasty meals that include everything from fried green tomatoes to crispy whitefish and fall-off-the-bone ribs.

(559 S. Main Street in Englewood) This restaurant offers bar fare with a kick. There are pizza, salad, wrap, sandwich and burger options.

kettering/oakwood

C’est Tout

(2600 Far Hills Ave. in Oakwood) This French country bistro is sure to please. Have a glass of wine at the bar and enjoy an appetizer of sweet potato and goat cheese wontons. Enjoy authentic French fare like coq au vin or duck confit.

Neil’s Heritage House

(2323 W. Schantz Ave. in Kettering) Offers nightly features, wine tastings and great dinner features. Enjoy a piece of Dayton history and have dinner at Neil’s.

The Tropics

(580 Lincoln Park Blvd. in Kettering) They have a great outdoor patio. Diners may also take in a meal at the bar where you can enjoy appetizers, salads or steak and seafood entrees.

Fresco

(3141 Far Hills Ave. in Kettering) Featuring fresh foods prepared in a small space with an open kitchen with Chef Jenn DiSanto.

Figlio

(424 E. Stroop Rd. in Kettering) A great little restaurant tucked away in the back of the shopping center. This restaurant features a modern twist on Italian – from wood fired pizzas to delicious salads – and is sure to please.

Meadowlark

(5531 Far Hills Ave. in Kettering) Features the specialties of Elizabeth Wiley, executive chef and owner. The specialties here are simply amazing from garlic frites to slow roasted red beets to steaks, chops, entree salads and even house-made ketchup.

The Hawthorn Grill

(1222 E. Stroop Rd. in Kettering) This restaurant has great soups, salads, dinner entrees and desserts that you do not want to miss.

Pepito’s

(3688 Wilmington Pike in Kettering) This establishment serves authentic and traditional Mexican fare that has been around Dayton for years. You don’t need to visit a Mexican place by the highway or mall when this is an option. They will offer a meal-for-two option.

Christopher’s

(2318 E Dorothy Lane in Kettering) This restaurant gives home cooking new meaning – their comfortable, home-like atmosphere makes it a great place for the entire family.

McGillicutty’s Pub

(1980 E. Whipp Rd. in Kettering) Featuring lunch, dinner and drinks in a casual, pub-like atmosphere, this restaurant will offer a meal-for-two option.

Miamisburg/moraine/West Carrollton

Chappy’s Tap Room

(2733 W. Alex Bell Road in Moraine) Known for having 34 beers on tap, as well as great appetizers, great fried chicken, ribs and even homemade lump crab cakes.

El Meson

(903 E. Dixie Dr. in West Carrollton) A family-owned, friendly atmosphere known for exciting Hispanic cuisine, great tapas and amazing sangria, there is something for everyone at El Meson.

Giuliano’s an Anticoli Tavern

(67 S. Main St. in Miamisburg) The Anticoli family has been in the restaurant business for over 80 years. Some of the favorites from the old restaurant on Salem Avenue are being recreated today.

(1535 Miamisburg Centerville Road) Known for steaks and chops, this fine dining restaurant has a full menu that includes a veal chop, rack of lamb and prime rib, Alaskan crab legs, great side dish options and a well-stocked bar.

Chop House

(7727 Washington Village Dr.) This place is an old-fashioned steakhouse with a showcase of freshly cut steaks just inside the door. There are many options for steak preparation, including horseradish crust. Seafood options, chicken options, delicious appetizers like corn cakes and fried green beans and house made desserts.

Charleston BBQ

(671 Lyons Rd.) The typical BBQ restaurant known for pulled pork, brisket, ribs, homemade mac and cheese, and cornbread. Open for lunch and dinner – I have heard they have great chicken fingers.

The Melting Pot

(453 Miamisburg Centerville Road) Known as a restaurant for fondue – whether it is the cheese fondue appetizer options or the chocolate fondue dessert options – the meal can be a lot of fun for all ages.

Doubleday’s

(199 E. Alex Bell Rd. in Centerville) This locally-owned restaurant/sports bar features something for everyone. Great soups, salads, sandwiches and dinner entrees and you can sit and watch the game. Or, enjoy a quieter space in the dining room.

Sweeney’s

(28 W. Franklin St.) Another of Dayton’s great seafood restaurants – a little taste of Key West located in warm and cheerful Centerville. Things like yellowfin tuna, blue cornmeal-crusted trout and lobster are just a few of the seafood options. But, not to worry there are options for the “fish frowners,” as they call them, as well.

Kabuki

(848 S. Main St.) This is a Korean and Japanese restaurant and sushi bar – I’ve been told it is simply the best sushi in the area – with fun appetizers like Heart Attack, kimchi pancake and Monkey Ball. This restaurant will offer a meal-for-two option.

Twisted Root

(79 S. Main St. – formerly Savona) An American restaurant featuring famous New England clam chowder, as well as other house made soups, seafood and steak options.

The Station House

(8100 Clyo Rd. at St. Leonard Living Community) Casual dining that includes appetizers, salads, pizza, entrees and dessert in a casual atmosphere.

Beavercreek

Flemings

(4432 Walnut St. at The Greene) They are certainly known for their steaks and chops, as well as vegetable/side portions that can feed two. Additionally, there are great appetizer options and valet parking.

McCormick and Schmick’s

(4429 Cedar Park Dr. at The Greene) This is another one of the few restaurants in Dayton with fresh seafood. The menu changes daily. Known for many seafood options and many types of preparation, as well as great appetizers and soups.

Crazy Mango

(81 Magnolia Lane at The Greene) Home of one of the more recent Restaurant Raider events, this bar and bistro features stone fired pizza, a mango salad, garlic and chive sticks and even mojito chicken wings. Give this restaurant a try – 150 others did during the restaurant raid and loved it!

Pasha Grill

(72 Plum St. at The Greene) This restaurant features authentic Turkish cuisine. So, if you are craving hummus or a kabob, this is the place to visit.

Spinoza’s

(2727 Fairfield Commons Blvd. at The Mall at Fairfield Commons) Wood-fired pizzas and meal-size salads abound at this casual, upscale restaurant that just happens to be in a shopping mall. You can usually find entertainment on the weekends – but always-fresh menu options are worth the drive to Beavercreek.

Wellington Grille

(2450 Dayton-Xenia Road) This restaurant is a Dayton classic – part of the Mary Miller restaurant group – specializing in steaks, chops and seafood.

Enon/Springfield/Yellow Springs

The Dock

(250 W. Main St. in Enon) This restaurant is known for seafood and is a staple in Enon for great food and a sense of community. The menu is full of seafood options, including grouper, tuna, crab legs and breaded clams. There are also steak and chop options.

Season’s Bistro

(28 S. Limestone St. in Springfield) The selections at this bistro are certainly a surprise – from chilled carrot and mint soup to garbanzo or garlic and chicken soup, lamb stew, beet and chickpea fritters and even burgers.

Sunrise Café

(259 Xenia Ave. in Yellow Springs) This staple in Yellow Springs offers selections like buffalo filet and Thai peanut tofu, steak and seafood options, as well as a very full menu of vegan and vegetarian options.

The Winds

(215 Xenia Ave. in Yellow Springs) A true fine dining staple in the area. A menu that is sure to have interesting options for both the meat-eater and the vegetarian.

Tipp City/Troy

Hickory River BBQ

(135 S. Garber Dr. in Tipp City)

La Piazza

(2 N. Market St. in Troy) Part of the Anticoli Family – this restaurant features all of the traditional cuisine you have come to love at great Italian restaurants. Whether it is chicken parmigiana, pork balsamica, manicotti, pizzas or a great salad with house Italian dressing, this is an excellent option north of Dayton.

The Caroline

(5 S. Market St. in Troy) This restaurant offers steak and seafood options as well as burgers, entree salads and plenty of appetizer options.

This year, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Cancer Support Community right here in Dayton. This is an illness that has touched nearly everyone. So, go out, have dinner and know that not only are you getting a great meal with great options at a great price, but a portion of the proceeds are helping this great non-profit.

You have plenty of options; you need to start planning now. Where will this food critic be? You just never know where I will turn up … but, a few highlights for me may be Coco’s Bistro, C’est Tout, Meadowlark, El Meson, Sweeney’s and The Dock. But, you don’t need to take my word for it. Get out there and check these great restaurants out on your own. Better yet, get a group together and try something new.

The Miami Valley Restaurant Association’s Summer Restaurant Week takes place Sunday, July 28 through Sunday, Aug. 4. The price points for dinner will vary to include $20.13, $25.13 and $30.13, based on restaurant participation. For a complete, up-to-date list of menu and pricing options, visit dineoutdayton.com.